The cold stone beneath Rey's body had long numbed his skin, but tonight, something felt different.
A sound. No footsteps. No guards.
Only silence.
And opportunity.
The chain on his wrist had been weakening for days—he had noticed the rust, the crack along the shackle's joint. Slowly, quietly, he had been working it loose.
Tonight, it broke.
Clink.
He froze, heart pounding. No alarm. No movement.
He pulled harder—once, twice—and the second cuff gave way. The chains fell to the ground with a muted thud.
He was free.
Gasping quietly, Rey crept to the heavy iron door. It groaned slightly as he nudged it open. The hallway beyond was dim, lit by only one flickering torch. No guards in sight.
Rey moved like a shadow, every nerve alert. He knew he had little time—if they discovered his absence, they'd seal the entire castle.
His mind repeated one name like a prayer.
Fianna.
He needed answers. He needed truth.
She had betrayed him. Or maybe... she was being forced. He couldn't tell anymore.
He only knew one thing: he needed to see her face.
He needed to ask why.
The halls twisted and turned, each step forward guided more by instinct than logic. The castle felt alive, like it watched him. Rey's breath stayed low. His bare feet made no sound.
Then he saw it.
A door. Familiar. Elegant carvings of moons and falling stars. A scent—soft, floral—hung in the air. It was hers. It had to be.
He moved forward, hand outstretched, pulse thundering in his ears.
Fianna…
He opened the door—
And stopped.
Inside, bathed in candlelight, Fianna stood at the center of the room. Dressed in silver robes. Calm. Beautiful. Empty.
And beside her...
Vladis Mortis.
Sitting casually in a throne-like chair, hands steepled beneath his chin. His crimson eyes glowed with a sadistic gleam.
"Well," Vladis said, his voice smooth and cold. "Took you long enough."
Rey froze, stunned.
"You didn't think I'd just let you slip away unnoticed, did you?" Vladis chuckled. "You humans… so predictable. You ran straight to her. Just like I planned."
Fianna didn't speak. Her gaze met Rey's, unreadable. She didn't flinch. She didn't move.
It hurt more than chains.
"You set this up," Rey whispered, eyes wide.
Vladis rose from his seat. "Of course I did. The moment you started tugging those little chains, I gave her the order to wait here."
"You knew I'd come to her…"
"I know everything about you," Vladis said with a smirk. "You're mine, Rey. Heart, soul, and now… even your hope."
Rey took a step back—but the door slammed shut behind him. Locked.
Vladis's eyes glinted. "This was never an escape, little human. This was a test. And you failed beautifully."
He turned to Fianna. "Prepare him for the ceremony. It begins soon."
Fianna walked toward Rey. Her face was expressionless.
Rey's breath caught.
"Fianna…" he whispered, barely audible. "Why?"
But she passed him, saying nothing.
And the cold silence of betrayal screamed louder than any blade.
---